From the Research
Dehydration can cause hematuria, and it is essential to address dehydration promptly to prevent potential kidney damage and other complications. When you're dehydrated, your urine becomes more concentrated, which can make even small amounts of blood more noticeable, appearing as pink, red, or brown urine. Severe dehydration can also lead to kidney stress or damage that may result in blood in the urine. The best approach if you notice hematuria is to increase your fluid intake immediately, aiming for 8-10 glasses of water daily to rehydrate your body and dilute your urine. If the hematuria persists after rehydration for 24-48 hours, you should seek medical attention as it could indicate other underlying conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or more serious kidney diseases. Dehydration causes hematuria through concentrated urine irritating the urinary tract and through potential kidney stress when blood flow to the kidneys is reduced, forcing them to work harder with less resources, which can damage the filtering mechanisms and allow blood cells to leak into urine, as suggested by studies on the mechanisms of dehydration and its effects on kidney function 1. Some key points to consider include:
- Dehydration is a known risk factor for kidney disease, and increasing hydration may help prevent chronic kidney disease 1.
- Urine concentration thresholds may not accurately reflect dehydration status, and blood markers should be used to confirm hypertonicity 2.
- Severe dehydration can lead to kidney damage and other complications, making prompt treatment essential. It is crucial to prioritize hydration and seek medical attention if hematuria persists, as it may indicate underlying conditions that require prompt treatment, and dehydration can exacerbate these conditions, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and decreased quality of life 3, 4.